Awning adjustment device

ABSTRACT

An awning and a method of operating the awning are provided. The awning includes a canopy, a roller and an adjustment tube. The canopy includes a proximal edge. The canopy can be wound about the roller with the proximal edge secured along the roller. The roller includes a first longitudinal end and a second longitudinal end. The adjustment tube includes a small base and a large base. The adjustment tube is mounted around the roller near the second longitudinal end so that the small base is nearer to the first longitudinal end than the large base. The adjustment tube is slidably movable along the roller so that the adjustment tube can move toward or away from the first longitudinal end between an innermost position and an outermost position. The adjustment tube is located nearer to the second longitudinal end at the outermost position than at the innermost position.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to awnings and, morespecifically, apparatus for adjusting a canopy on an awning.

BACKGROUND

Often, a canopy of an awning is retracted and stored by winding thecanopy about a roller when the awning is not in use. A problem that canoccur when winding the canopy around the roller is that the canopybecomes unevenly wound about the roller such that the canopy is moretightly wound on one end of the roller compared to the other end. Thismay occur because a motor only drives one end of the roller, forexample, and an unevenly wound canopy hinders the aesthetics and properfunctioning of the awning. Thus, there is a need for apparatus andmethods to resolve the uneven winding of the canopy about the roller.

SUMMARY

In one example aspect, an awning includes a canopy, a roller and anadjustment tube. The canopy includes a proximal edge and lateral edges.The canopy can be wound about the roller with the proximal edge securedalong the roller. The roller includes a first longitudinal end and asecond longitudinal end. The adjustment tube includes a small base and alarge base. The adjustment tube is mounted around the roller near thesecond longitudinal end so that the small base is nearer to the firstlongitudinal end than the large base. The adjustment tube is slidablymovable along the roller so that the adjustment tube can move toward oraway from the first longitudinal end between an innermost position andan outermost position. The adjustment tube is located nearer to thesecond longitudinal end at the outermost position than at the innermostposition. One of the lateral edges of the canopy is capable of beingwound around the adjustment tube at least at one position of theadjustment tube between the innermost position and the outermostposition.

In another example aspect, the adjustment tube includes a cylindricalinner geometry.

In yet another example aspect, the inner geometry substantially matchesan outer dimension of the roller.

In yet another example aspect, the adjustment tube includes afrusto-conical outer geometry.

In yet another example aspect, the roller includes a groove in which theproximal edge can be secured.

In yet another example aspect, the adjustment tube further includes aslit into which one of the lateral edges of the canopy extends as theadjustment tube is slidably moved along the roller.

In yet another example aspect, the slit extends from the small base to aslit end located at an intermediate point on the adjustment tube.

In yet another example aspect, the one of the lateral edges of thecanopy is configured to abut the slit end at the innermost position ofthe adjustment tube.

In yet another example aspect, the one of the lateral edges of thecanopy is capable of being wound around the adjustment tube at allpositions from the innermost position to the outermost position.

In yet another example aspect, a method of operating an awning isprovided. The awning includes a canopy, a roller and an adjustment tube.The canopy includes a proximal edge and lateral edges. The rollerincludes a first longitudinal end and a second longitudinal end. Theadjustment tube includes a small base and a large base. An outerdimension of the adjustment tube gradually increases from the small baseto the large base. The adjustment tube is mounted around the secondlongitudinal end so that the small base is nearer to the firstlongitudinal end than the large base. The method includes the steps ofwinding the canopy about the roller so that one of the lateral edgesnear the second longitudinal end is wound around a first portion of theadjustment tube at which the outer dimension has a first value, movingthe adjustment tube along the roller between an innermost position andan outermost position, the adjustment tube located nearer to the secondlongitudinal end at the outermost position than at the innermostposition, and winding the canopy about the roller so that the one of thelateral edges near the second longitudinal end is wound around a secondportion of the adjustment tube at which the outer dimension has a secondvalue.

In yet another example aspect, the adjustment tube is slidably movedalong the roller.

In yet another example aspect, the adjustment tube further includes aslit into which the one of the lateral edges of the canopy extends asthe adjustment tube is moved along the roller.

In yet another example aspect, the slit extends from the small base to aslit end located at an intermediate point on the adjustment tube.

In yet another example aspect, the one of the lateral edges of thecanopy is configured to abut the slit end at the innermost position ofthe adjustment tube.

In yet another example aspect, the one of the lateral edges extends intothe slit at the outermost position of the tube.

In yet another example aspect, the one of the lateral edges of thecanopy is capable of being wound around the adjustment tube at allpositions from the innermost position to the outermost position.

In yet another example aspect, the adjustment tube includes acylindrical inner geometry substantially matching an outer dimension ofthe roller.

In yet another example aspect, the adjustment tube includes afrusto-conical outer geometry.

In yet another example aspect, the roller includes a groove in which theproximal edge can be secured.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other aspects are better understood when the followingdetailed description is read with reference to the accompanyingdrawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a view of an example structure on which an example embodimentof an awning is mounted;

FIG. 2 is a close-up view of an adjustment tube in an isolated state;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the adjustment tube on an end of aroller of an awning in an outermost position; and

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the adjustment tube on an end of theroller of an awning in an innermost position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Examples will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference tothe accompanying drawings in which example embodiments are shown.Whenever possible, the same reference numerals are used throughout thedrawings to refer to the same or like parts. However, aspects may beembodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limitedto the embodiments set forth herein.

Referring now to FIG. 1, an example embodiment of an awning 10 is shown.While the awning 10 is shown to be mounted to a trailer 100 in thisembodiment, the awning may be mounted to other types of recreationalvehicles, modes of transport (e.g., a boat), residential structures(e.g., a house) or the like. Moreover, while this example awning 10 isembodied with a particular set of arms and joints, it is possible toconfigure the awning 10 with a different set of arms and joints.

The awning 10 may include a set of support arms 12, a canopy 14 and aroller 16 among other features. The support arms 12 are configured toenable the extension and refraction of the awning 10 such that thecanopy 14 can be stretched out to provide shelter and be withdrawn toremove the same. The support arms 12 can be operable manually orautomatically.

The canopy 14 may be rectangular in a fully stretched out state and mayhave a proximal edge 18, a distal edge 20 and lateral edges 22 where theproximal edge 18 is configured to be secured to the roller 16. Theroller 16 is located adjacent the structure which the awning is part of(e.g., a trailer 100) and the distal edge 20 is configured to extendaway from the trailer 100 in this embodiment although this configurationmay vary in alternative embodiments. The roller 16 may be elongate withlongitudinal ends 24 and may be a cylindrical or tubular structure aboutwhich the rectangular canopy 14 can be wound. The roller 16 may includea groove 26 in which the proximal edge 18 of the canopy 14 may besecured. The groove 26 may be formed on an outer surface of the roller16 extending longitudinally about the roller 16. The proximal edge 18 ofthe canopy 14 may include a passage which may be formed by folding thecanopy 14 along the proximal edge 18 and securing the folded portion tothe canopy 14, such as by sewing. The proximal edge 18 may be secured tothe roller 16 by placing the passage within the groove 26 and insertinga wire or rod like element that substantially matches the dimension ofthe groove 26 through the passage.

A first longitudinal end 24 a of the roller 16 may be operativelyconnected to a driving element 28 (e.g., a motor) by way of which theroller 16 can be turned in both rotational directions. Once the proximaledge 18 of the canopy 14 is secured to the roller 16, the rotation ofthe roller 16 can wind the canopy 14 about the roller or unwind thecanopy 14 from a wound-up state. The extension and retraction of theawning 10 may be actuated by the driving element and the support arms 12may move in response to the winding/unwinding of the canopy 14.

As shown in FIGS. 3-4, near a second longitudinal end 24 b of the roller16, an adjustment tube 32 is mounted around the roller 16 so as tosurround or enclose the roller 16 and to be slidably and telescopicallymovable in longitudinal directions along the roller 16. The adjustmenttube 32 may be made of materials providing sufficient flexibility andrigidity such as plastic. As shown in FIG. 2, the adjustment tube 32includes a small base 34 and a large base 36 such that the value of theouter dimension of the adjustment tube 32 (e.g., diameter) graduallyincreases from the small base 34 to the large base 36. Thus, theadjustment tube 32 is tapered from the large base 36 to the small base34. For example, the adjustment tube 32 may be 2.70 inches in length andhave an outer diameter of 2.59 inches at the small base 34 and an outerdiameter of 2.88 inches at the large base 36. In one embodiment, theadjustment tube 32 is frusto-conical and the outer surface between thesmall base 34 and the large base 36 is flat. However, the outer surfacebetween the small base 34 and the large base 36 may also be curved,stepped or the like. Moreover, it may be possible for the outer surfaceof the adjustment tube 32 to be flat along one axial portion and to havean alternative configuration (e.g., curved, stepped, etc.) along anotheraxial portion while the outer dimension gradually increases between thesmall base 34 and the large base 36. Thus, the values of the outerdimension of the adjustment tube 32 may change in a continuouslyvariable or may be discrete.

While the outer geometry of the adjustment tube 32 is frusto-conical,the inner geometry is cylindrical and substantially matches the outergeometry of the roller 16 so that a sufficient degree of friction existsbetween an inner surface of the adjustment tube 32 and an outer surfaceof the roller 16 to keep the adjustment tube 32 in place once anoperator has slid the adjustment tube 32 to a given position along theroller 16 but also allowing for sliding movement of the adjustment tube32 respect to the roller 16. For example, the inner diameter of theadjustment tube 32 may be kept constant at 2.49 inches from the smallbase 34 to the large base 36. The adjustment tube 32 is mounted on theroller 16 so that the small base 34 is nearer to the first longitudinalend 24 a than the large base 36.

As further shown in FIG. 2, the adjustment tube 32 includes a slit 38which extends from the small base 34 to an intermediate point 40 betweenthe small base 34 and the large base 36. The slit 38 terminates at aslit end 42 defining an innermost position 44 of the adjustment tube 32at which the small base 34 of the adjustment tube 32 is nearest to thefirst longitudinal end 24 a and at which the lateral edge 22 abuts theslit end 42. As shown in FIGS. 3-4, the canopy 14 may extend into theslit 38 and remain therein throughout movement of the adjustment tube 32from the outermost position 46 to the innermost position 44. Theposition of the adjustment tube 32 at which the lateral edge 22 of thecanopy 14 is closest to the slit end 42 may define the innermostposition 44. The adjustment tube 32 may be at an outermost position 46at which the large base 36 of the adjustment tube 32 is nearest to thesecond longitudinal end 24 b and where the large base 36 of theadjustment tube 32 is stopped by an end feature of the awning 10 (e.g.,an end cap) which is omitted from FIGS. 3-4 for clarity of illustration.

In this embodiment, the lateral edge 22 of the canopy 14 is wound aroundthe adjustment tube 32 at all positions from the innermost position 44to the outermost position 46 of the adjustment tube 32. However, thelateral edge 22 of the canopy 14 need not extend into the slit 38 whenthe adjustment tube 32 is at the outermost position 46. In case thelateral edge 22 of the canopy 14 cannot be wound around the adjustmenttube 32 at the outermost position 46, the lateral edge 22 of the canopy14 is simply wound around the roller 16. However, at least at oneposition of the adjustment tube 32 between the outermost position 46 andthe innermost position 44, the lateral edge 22 of the canopy 14 can bewound around the adjustment tube 32 and the adjustment tube 32 willcontinue to be wound about the adjustment tube 32 from this position tothe innermost position 44. Because the outer dimension (e.g., the outerdiameter) of the adjustment tube 32 increases as the adjustment tube 32is moved toward the innermost position 44, the lateral edge 22 of thecanopy 14 can be entirely wound about the adjustment tube 32 with fewerrotations of the roller 16. The adjustability of the outer dimension onone longitudinal end is helpful in overcoming the lag in rotation at thenon-driven, longitudinal end of the roller 16 which causes the canopy 14to be unevenly wound about the roller 16. The lag in rotation at thenon-driven, longitudinal end can be neutralized by increasing the outerdimension of the adjustment tube 32 by a sufficient amount which can bedetermined through trial and error. Difference in the tightness of thefabric between the driven end and the non-driven end is anothercondition that can be fixed by the adjustment tube 32.

Once the final position of the adjustment tube 32 is determined, theadjustment tube 32 may be secured at the factory or during installationof the awning such as by the end user. The adjustment tube 32 may be setin place using adhesive tape, blind rivet, tek screw, glue or anysuitable means.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that variousmodifications and variations can be made without departing from thespirit and scope of the claimed invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. An awning including: a canopy including aproximal edge and lateral edges; a roller about which the canopy can bewound with the proximal edge secured along the roller, the rollerincluding a first longitudinal end and a second longitudinal end; and anadjustment tube including a small base and a large base, an outerdimension of the adjustment tube gradually increasing from the smallbase to the large base, the adjustment tube mounted around the rollernear the second longitudinal end so that the small base is nearer to thefirst longitudinal end than the large base, the adjustment tube beingslidably movable along the roller so that the adjustment tube can movetoward or away from the first longitudinal end between an innermostposition and an outermost position, the adjustment tube located nearerto the second longitudinal end at the outermost position than at theinnermost position, one of the lateral edges of the canopy capable ofbeing wound around the adjustment tube at least at one position betweenthe innermost position and the outermost position.
 2. The awning ofclaim 1, the adjustment tube including a cylindrical inner geometry. 3.The awning of claim 2, the inner geometry substantially matching anouter dimension of the roller.
 4. The awning of claim 1, the adjustmenttube including a frusto-conical outer geometry.
 5. The awning of claim1, the roller including a groove in which the proximal edge can besecured.
 6. The awning of claim 1, the adjustment tube further includinga slit into which the one of the lateral edges of the canopy extends asthe adjustment tube is slidably moved along the roller.
 7. The awning ofclaim 6, the slit extending from the small base to a slit end located atan intermediate point on the adjustment tube.
 8. The awning of claim 7,the one of the lateral edges of the canopy configured to abut the slitend at the innermost position of the adjustment tube.
 9. The awning ofclaim 6, wherein the one of the lateral edges extends into the slit atthe outermost position of the tube.
 10. The awning of claim 1, the oneof the lateral edges of the canopy capable of being wound around theadjustment tube at all positions from the innermost position to theoutermost position.
 11. A method of operating an awning, the awningincluding a canopy, a roller and an adjustment tube, the canopyincluding a proximal edge and lateral edges, the roller including afirst longitudinal end and a second longitudinal end, the adjustmenttube including a small base and a large base, an outer dimension of theadjustment tube gradually increasing from the small base to the largebase, the adjustment tube mounted around the second longitudinal end sothat the small base is nearer to the first longitudinal end than thelarge base, the method including the steps of: winding the canopy aboutthe roller so that one of the lateral edges near the second longitudinalend is wound around a first portion of the adjustment tube at which theouter dimension has a first value; moving the adjustment tube along theroller between an innermost position and an outermost position, theadjustment tube located nearer to the second longitudinal end at theoutermost position than at the innermost position; and winding thecanopy about the roller so that the one of the lateral edges near thesecond longitudinal end is wound around a second portion of theadjustment tube at which the outer dimension has a second value.
 12. Themethod of claim 11, wherein the adjustment tube is slidably moved alongthe roller.
 13. The method of claim 11, the adjustment tube furtherincluding a slit into which the one of the lateral edges of the canopyextends as the adjustment tube is moved along the roller.
 14. The methodof claim 13, the slit extending from the small base to a slit endlocated at an intermediate point on the adjustment tube.
 15. The methodof claim 14, the one of the lateral edges of the canopy configured toabut the slit end at the innermost position of the adjustment tube. 16.The method of claim 13, wherein the one of the lateral edges extendsinto the slit at the outermost position of the tube.
 17. The method ofclaim 11, the one of the lateral edges of the canopy capable of beingwound around the adjustment tube at all positions from the innermostposition to the outermost position.
 18. The method of claim 11, theadjustment tube including a cylindrical inner geometry substantiallymatching an outer dimension of the roller.
 19. The method of claim 11,the adjustment tube including a frusto-conical outer geometry.
 20. Themethod of claim 11, the roller including a groove in which the proximaledge can be secured.